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Recent research from the Association of Investment Companies suggests that 78% of investors plan to make use of their ISA allowance this year. 40% plan to use only the shares element , representing a 1% rise since last year, while just over a quarter plan to use both their cash ISA and investment ISA allowance, again representing a 1% increase on the previous year. more

A recent survey conducted by NS&I indicates that the demographic of ISA savers has undergone quite a few changes in recent years. A survey of over 1,200 UK adults revealed some interesting insights into the behavior of savers in the past few years. more

Conservatives appeal to the environmentally conscious with plans for green ISAs

28 February 2008 / by Joy Tibbs

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne is to propose a new green ISA, which will be named the GISA, at Imperial College today. The aim is to allow consumers to increase tax-free savings by investing in eco-aware firms.

It is hoped that through the scheme, savers will feel they are helping to combat the effects of climate change as well as encouraging corporations to do more for the environment.

GISAs would enable savers to exceed the current £7,000 savings threshold that applies to standard stocks and shares ISAs, providing any additional investment falls into the 'green' category, which is likely to include Marks and Spencer, GlaxoSmithKline and BSkyB. According to reports, the new limit – which will be revealed today – could eventually be as high as £10,000 but is more likely to start at £8,000 or £9,000.

The party would introduce new rules to enable firms to be listed as 'green', including measures to curb emissions and use greener technologies. Mr Osborne says the GISA is "about creating a can-do culture on the environment, not a can’t-do lecture", whereby individuals will "literally be able to save for the planet".

The Conservatives are also set to create the world's first Green Environmental Market (GEM), which will provide new capital and opportunities for green technology companies from the UK and worldwide. The GEM would sit alongside the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and would allow investors to invest in environmentally friendly companies.

Mr Osborne believes the new trading market for green companies will "make the City of London the undisputed leader in green finance for years to come."